Instrument disinfecting apparatus and method. The instrument disinfecting apparatus includes a first nozzle sized to be positioned with respect to an instrument to at least partially disinfect the instrument, a first hose configured to operably connect with the first nozzle, and a disinfectant generator. The disinfectant generator is configured to operably connect with the first hose and emit a disinfectant agent into the first hose so that the disinfectant agent travels through the first hose and exits the first nozzle to at least partially disinfectant the instrument.

The present invention relates to an apparatus designed to control the application of the previously uncontrollable reaction of a peroxide composition and an alkaline composition, and accurately maintain the desired composition ratios for removal of and destruction of microbiological and organic contamination on a surface safely and without waste of the materials. The apparatus may also be used to maintain the highest demulsifying and antimicrobial activity of an organic acid composition blended with a peroxide composition by limiting contact time and the level of degradation of the components of the organic acid composition. A method of using the apparatus is provided for removing biofilm, bacteria, fungal cells, spores, fragments, and hyphae, microbiological slime, and organic contaminants from porous and non-porous surfaces, maintaining the integrity and life expectancy of the substrates, and increasing their resistance to new biofilm formation and microbiological deposition.

Peroxyformic acid compositions for removal of biofilm growth and other contaminants and impurities from industrial processing hard surfaces are disclosed. In particular, peroxyformic acid compositions may be dosed on site and/or generated in situ for the reduction and prevention of biofilms on the hard surfaces. Methods of employing the peroxyformic acid compositions for removal of biofilm growth and other impurities such as aldehydes and alcohols from industrial CO.sub.2 effluent are also disclosed which beneficially provide ambient biofilm control and break down more rapidly than other peracids, allowing for extended runs between CIP cleaning, including a reduction and/or elimination of cleaning of the scrubbers and other industrial surfaces.

Methods of cleaning and sanitizing membrane modules within a membrane system are provided. A cleaning solution is circulated through the membrane system for about 2 to about 30 minutes. The cleaning solution includes organic acid and surfactant. A sanitizing solution is added to the cleaning solution to produce a boosted antimicrobial solution comprising an oxidizer. The boosted antimicrobial solution is then circulated through the membrane system for about 1 to about 20 minutes. The methods described are effective for reducing and removing bacterial spores and biofilms from membranes and improving membrane compatibility of effective cleaning and sanitizing solutions.

A medical device reprocessor is operable to perform a method of cleaning an internal channel of a medical device. The method entails activating a pump assembly to deliver a detergent to the internal channel for a first predetermined duration, activating the pump assembly to deliver water to the internal channel to rinse out the detergent for a second predetermined duration, and activating the pump assembly to deliver pressurized air to the internal channel to purge out the water or detergent contained within the internal channel for a third predetermined duration. Subsequently, the method involves activating the pump assembly to deliver a predetermined volume of disinfectant to the internal channel, and activating the pump assembly to deliver pressurized air to purge out the disinfectant into a chamber. The method repeats filling the internal channel with detergent, water and disinfectant and the subsequent purging of the internal channel with pressurized air.

Disclosed is a system for preventing scaling and deposit formation in a sterile air heat exchanger of a system for aseptic packaging within laminated carton packages, and a process for eliminating hydrogen peroxide residues in aseptic laminated carton packaging systems, characterized in that it comprises providing a supply of water for scrubbing sterile air that has the following properties: (a) maximum conductivity at 20° C. of 2.0 micromhos; and (b) a maximum silica content of 0.1 ppm.

In the COP treatment and the SOP treatment of the interior of a chamber of an aseptic filler, any cleaning liquid or aseptic water remaining in the chamber is quickly removed before spray of a sterilizer containing peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide.

A transfer device for transferring a container in the chamber of the aseptic filler is driven to remove the cleaning liquid sued for the COP treatment or the aseptic water used for the SOP treatment.

An open-cell foam structure that is used to detect and remove substances from water or air.

This disclosure provides a method of disinfecting a surface within an area, comprising the steps of: a) dispersing into the area a multiplicity of droplets of a first aqueous composition comprising a first iodine reactant compound that is either a peroxide compound or an iodine salt compound: b) allowing sufficient time for the first aqueous composition to distribute throughout the area, and to deposit and coalesce into a layer upon the surface: c) dispersing into the area a multiplicity of droplets of a second aqueous composition comprising a second iodine reactant compound that is the other of the first iodine reactant compound, and: d) again allowing sufficient time for the droplets of the second aqueous composition to deposit onto the coalesced layer of the first aqueous composition, thereby forming iodine and other iodine biocides in situ and disinfecting the surface.

A one part, solids containing decontamination blend composition comprises a solid acetyl donor coated with a compound that protects it from hydrolysis, a peroxygen source, optionally a catalyst, optionally a surfactant, and optionally a buffer. The decontamination blend composition is generally in a dry powder, particle, etc. form or in a tablet, pill, etc. form and is complete in and of itself in that no additional compounds are required prior to use and is readily distributed as a one package system. Upon the addition of water, a peroxygen compound such as hydrogen peroxide is formed, and peracetic acid is generated under alkaline conditions. The decontamination blend composition is particularly suitable for oxidizing various chemical and biological compounds thereby eradicating the same in situ as on surfaces, clothes, articles, and the like. Representative contaminants include mustard gas, nerve gas, bacterial toxins, anthrax, bird flu, and the like.